Chapter 24
Iris
I spun around, pursing my lips in surprise.
"You aren't allowed to leave without my permission, Iris," He said with a bossy tone that reminded me of his rank, but my mind wasn't solely fixated on it, rather, I was distracted by how my name sounded on his lips and how my body warmed up inside.
Feeling flustered, I inclined my head to stop him from noticing the blush that had crept to my cheeks. "I'm sorry, Gradel. I thought we were done with the conversation."
"No, we're not. My father would want my presence in the court, seeing that I've recovered quite swiftly so that he can scold me for going against his orders, and though I'm not scared of him, I don't think I have the energy to argue with him today." He confessed.
Waves of disappointment hit me hard, knowing that he was just using me to escape boredom as he usually did.
"That's not a bad idea, but can I ask why you wanted me to stay back?" I asked politely, though I wanted to be anything but courteous.
Then he requested something I never believed he would ask. "Take a stroll with me,"
"Huh?" I replied absentmindedly.
He didn't respond, instead, he walked to the door, pushed it open and signaled me to walk through.
Not wanting to keep him waiting, I did as he wanted even though I was in a haze. His friendly approach was unnerving because I felt that he was going to make me drop my guard and then punish me for all the stress I put him through.
But if that was his aim, then he didn't need to go through the hassle.
The cool morning breeze swept across my skin, blowing my ruffled hair in different directions. He led me towards the garden where I'd once wished to be.
The crisp and musky scent of the white jasmine flower drifted to my nostrils, the fragrance exhilarating and relaxing. A sense of appreciation filled me as I watched the beautiful hibiscus flower bloom, distracting me from my predicament.
I made to ask him why he wanted me on a stroll with him when he asked, "What happened to your parents? Why did I meet you in such a position that day?"
"My parents are gone. I don't know what happened to my father, but I was told that my mother died in another pack's town so my sister had to bring me back here where we belonged." Pain laced my voice while I gave him the answers he sought.
"I've never had a happy moment, neither have I recorded a moment of peace. That day you saw me was one of the worst days of my life, even my time at the prison couldn't be compared to it." I paused to prepare myself for the mental journey I was about to embark on.
"Giga was one man I promised never to work for, but our situation back at home was so dire that I couldn't turn a blind eye anymore. My sister didn't care so I went back on my words and pleaded with him to give me a job just for the day. I should have known that I was setting myself up for trouble..."
I told him how he asked me to sleep with him and how he threatened to make me pay after I refused his advances. By the time I finished, we had gotten to the end of the garden and my lips parted at the sight before us.
A beautiful pond with ducks waddling along the bank of the pond. Maple, fir and other kinds of trees I couldn't identify stretched beyond the pond to another part of the pack house.
Indeed, the Alpha's mansion was a sight to behold, and then I allowed myself to imagine being in charge of the household, having the opportunity to come here in the evenings just to gawk at the beauty of nature.
Subconsciously, I was already pledging to preserve the surreal beauty of the environs.
"It's beautiful," I gaped, unable to hold back my thoughts.
"Sure, it is. I come here during sunset whenever I want to relax. The fragrance from the flowers and the stillness of the pond drives me back to sanity." He agreed.
His words became incoherent in my ears as I trained my gaze on the pond. A smile touched my lips when the duck waddled into the water, causing a splash.
The sight was wholesome and tranquil.
He cleared his throat, disrupting the silence. "I brought you out here to make a proposal,"
My brows arched in confusion. "A proposal?" I reiterated, unsure of what I'd heard.
"Yes, you heard me right but before I go on, I want you to know that we can't perform the mating rites because I don't plan on having a mate to tie me down here." He said nonchalantly.
His words sliced my heart like a dagger and my eyes stung with tears but I shook off the feeling. I should have expected that not hoping that he would suddenly fall in love with me.
"I don't want to fulfill my father's wishes of getting a mate, having a child and becoming his successor so this is what we'll do."
My throat clenched and my heart thumped hard in anticipation. Why didn't he reject me publicly if he didn't want me? Why was he hurting me like this?
"I'm listening," I managed to speak.
"You'll become my pretend mate," He proposed and my ears tingled.
I burst into laughter- a loud throaty one. It died down gradually, fading off as a giggle and then I peered at him doubtfully.
"In my twenty-two years of existence, I've never heard something as ridiculous as this," I chuckled then caught myself. "I'm sorry for calling your idea ridiculous,"
"No offense taken." He said curtly. "Well, now you've heard of it. I know I said that I wasn't interested in honoring my father's wishes, but how do you think he'll feel when he realizes that I was playing with his emotions all along?" He smirked with a beam of satisfaction on his face.
"Deceived?"
"Exactly,"
I nodded and drew in a deep breath shakily. "Ummm, I don't mean to push my luck but I'd like to know what my gain is in all of these?"
"Protection and respect. No one in this pack will ever look down on you again so you can consider yourself equal to them as long as the contract lasts."
A question popped in my head and apprehension worked its way through me but I asked it anyway. "And when will the proposal be withdrawn?"
"The day you find my bracelet."